Antenna Replacement

[pinkpearl]

anyone know how to replace an antenna on an SC400? the antenna got bent and now will not retrack all the way down.

[whh333]

Pinkpearl,

I think I have seen SC300/400 antenna masts on e-bay for 19.95 . I paid 51.00 for an ES300 mast at the dealer.

You can replace the antenna yourself very easily, but it is really easy if you have a helper.

First, you unscrew the bezel surrounding the base of the antenna. This has 4 slots coming out radially from the center. You can use a pair of pliers around the outside rim, but put a rag or piece of leather between the pliers and the bezel to keep from scratching it.

Second, turn on the ignition and turn on the radio. This is where a helper comes in so they can turn on this stuff and you can be by the antenna when it starts coming out. The motor will just keep extending it until the antenna and the white nylon rack gear come out in your hand. As it is coming out, keep track of the direction the gear teeth on the nylon section are pointing so you can insert the new one in the same orientation. The fact that yours is bent and still operating probably means the whole nylon section is intact, but compare lengths of the old and new one and look at the end of the old one just to be sure some of it is not left in the motor.

Third, place the new nylon mast in the antenna tube with the gear teeth pointing in the same direction as the old teeth came out. Press it in gently and turn off the radio. As the motor retracts the new antenna, feed it in as straight and as gentle as possible. I have been told not to put grease on the new mast, even though the old one comes out with a lot of grease on it. Opinions may vary on this. Replace the bezel and you are done.

If the new mast does not go in just right the first time, you can turn off the radio, let the mast entend back out, and try again. You need to handle the mast without forcing it.

The utility of a helper is that all this happens faster than you would expect. You can do it by yourself, but you have to be quick, and there is a risk of the mast scratching paint.

Good Luck.

Bill Harrison

[jakino3388]

if you ant. mass is bent. just stick a long screwdriver in and bent it back. just change out the the antena mass not the whole motor.

[pinkpearl]

is the mast that I buy just the nylon cord? I actually need the metal extension piece. that is what is broken. I checked ebay and saw an antenna mast but it looks like they are just selling the nylon piece of it.

[JDOwen2]

I just bought a replacement mast from JPImports. The nylon "cord" is attached to the metal mast. If you get one off Ebay make sure the plastic button on the end of the mast matches what you have.

[Dennis Pierson]

I'm trying to get an antenna from a parts car without any electrical power - the drive train and battery are gone. I unscrewed the bezel but can't get it to slip over the tip of the antenna. Is there another way to get it off?